I'm moving there next year but I'm going to be in LA from Thurs the 28th to Nov 2nd if you want to meet up and explore vegan eats!

_________________blog!twitter!facebook!etsy!xgfx - Review Squadron Team!My vulva serves at least 50 people, if you know what I'm sayin'. - just mumblesThe day Joy stops coming out of my anus is the day that something else awesome stops doing whatever it is also doing. - Mars

Things I love about LA: seeing places from all of my favorite movies (the LA River is really made of concrete, just like in Chinatown. Whee); near the beach; tons of veggie dining

Things I hate about LA: sitting in miserable traffic to get anywhere; lack of public transportation

Things that used to be good about LA: used to have beautiful weather -- now apparently we have the same weather as the Pacific Northwest. Hello fog.

I live in West LA, which I define as the area between Westwood and Santa Monica. I'm not from here though, so that might not be the official definition. Some things worth checking out near my neighborhood are:

Restaurants:

Real Food Daily (Santa Monica Blvd at 5th, Santa Monica)-- I don't care what anyone says; I love this place. Some of my favorites are the seitan club, the TV Dinner and their interesting specials.

Oooh, restaurant suggestions, I haven't been to any of those places, although my boyfriend has been talking about Real Food Daily lately. It was my birthday the other day, but I didn't have time to celebrate, so I'm going to go out for a "fancy" dinner today or tomorrow, maybe I'll check that out. I really like Flore in Silverlake. Super delicious and all vegan (I think).

I am fascinated by the LA river--I read a book about it in school before I ever even thought of moving here and it was really interesting, lots of info. about why LA is so big (areas annexed just to obtain water rights), how the river was moved, and good general information about the city's history. I think the book was just called The LA River.

I love walking around and looking at all the vegetation here. I'm from the east coast and most recently Ohio, so the plant life is just so different. I love succulents and the contrast between urban and nature is wonderful here. Although almost entirely artificial and made by wasting a ton of water....but yeah. The architecture and mountains are awesome too. I think I'm going to try geocaching as a way to explore the city because it's outdoors, free, and looks like a lot of fun.

Surprisingly the driving hasn't been that bad for me, although WAY different than the small college town in Ohio I came from. I don't know if I would have made it without a GPS. I'm already on my second house here (in two months, it's been crazy) and being able to walk a lot of places was definitely a priority. That and allowing big dogs. Where I live now I can walk many of the places I need to go, which is wonderful.

Anyway, love the LA convos, looking to learn and explore as much as I can. VeganFood, message me closer to when you'll be here, maybe we can get together!

VeganFood, message me closer to when you'll be here, maybe we can get together!

I am flying out Thursday and will be there til Tuesday. I will pm you next week!

_________________blog!twitter!facebook!etsy!xgfx - Review Squadron Team!My vulva serves at least 50 people, if you know what I'm sayin'. - just mumblesThe day Joy stops coming out of my anus is the day that something else awesome stops doing whatever it is also doing. - Mars

If you find yourself anywhere near the Mandoline Grill truck, do yourself a favor and hunt it down. Best lemongrass tofu ever. EVER. And the owner/chef, Mong, is super cool and loves her some vegans.

You'll also want to consult the results of quarrygirl's Operation Pancake, AKA Will Green Leaves Ever Get Their Useless shiitake Together.

That said, Pure Luck is pretty freaking fantastic and one of the first places I take omnis on my food tour of LA. Also on that list is Veggie Grill and Native Foods. I just can't resist that Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger. Speaking of which, Native Foods is apparently taking over M Cafe's lease in Culver City. So, I suppose it's not a total wash.

I haven't tried Shojin yet in Little Tokyo, but hot damn do they look tasty. Vegan Japanese food, including sushi? Yes please.

Speaking of which, Native Foods is apparently taking over M Cafe's lease in Culver City. So, I suppose it's not a total wash.

YES! I read that on quarrygirl, too. I am sad to see that M Cafe location go, but I am very happy to hear that Native Foods will be in a far more convenient location (for me, anyway)! I will be there when they open, with bells on!

The best veg food in LA is Follow Your Heart, out in Canoga Park. It's a hike to get out there, but it's 100% worth it. I moved away from Southern California about five years ago and I still dream about their burritos.

I'm a longtime Eastsider too - I've lived in Silver Lake, Highland Park, and Altadena and now Eagle Rock. There are so many great vegan options on this side of town. Not everything is worth a field trip, but if you find yourself out this way there are tons of choices.

Blue Hen, Eagle Rock - Really good, fresh Vietnamese food. Not all veggie but lots of vegan options.Good Girl Dinette, Highland Park - same as above.Four Cafe, Eagle Rock - lots of organic, good for a quick lunch.O'Happy Days, Altadena - the most legit, 70's style, all vegan HFS and lunch counter. Crazy low prices on prepared foods. Always a soup of the day. I adore this place. You almost always get to share a table with retired rocket scientists and other neighborhood characters.Bulan, Silverlake - crazy good vegan Thai. Crispy fish with green apples! Kabocha curry! So good.

Welcome, visitors! We promise the sun will be back in time for the holidays.

Yeah, I think we're just going to have to sit tight and wait it out. I haven't heard of it anywhere else, either. Has M Cafe actually closed yet? I'll have my friend works at Culver City scope out the joint for signs of life...

Are there any good vegan stores(not food)? I already know about Alternative Outfitters and may take a trip since I'm not going to be far from Pasadena but what else is out there?

_________________blog!twitter!facebook!etsy!xgfx - Review Squadron Team!My vulva serves at least 50 people, if you know what I'm sayin'. - just mumblesThe day Joy stops coming out of my anus is the day that something else awesome stops doing whatever it is also doing. - Mars